The Inside Peak - Activities in Nosara

Welcome back to the Inside Peak! Wow, here we are in March, hot weather, south swells, Spring Break!

I know I promised to bring you the “Tyler Marsh Story” in this edition but my research is not finished and I’ll have to postpone until next week. It will be worth it……so stay tuned……NEXT WEEK!

NOSARA’S BEST TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Last week I did a review of one of Nosara’s most popular (non-surfing) tours – Miss Sky Canopy Tour. This week I thought I would continue on that line of thought, and feature some of the other fantastic tour and activity offerings available here. Safari Surf can provide further information and help you arrange any of these activities, just ask and we are on it!

ON THE WATER

Water activities abound in Nosara! Abundant rivers, tide pools, waterfalls, estuaries, bays, and ocean provide for a variety of water sports, offering ideal settings and conditions for beginners through advanced skill levels.

KAYAKING/SUP

The convergence of the Nosara and Montana Rivers at ‘The Boca’ offers multiple waterways and spectacular scenery, perfect for calm-water kayaking and stand up paddling. A favorite attraction here is the mangrove tunnels where you can paddle through an amazing network of coastal mangroves. At the intersection of land and sea, mangrove forests support a wealth of life, from starfish to people. The relationship between mangroves and their associated marine life cannot be overemphasized. Mangroves provide protected nursery areas for fishes, crustaceans, and shellfish. They also provide food for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, red drum, oyster, and shrimp. Mangroves can help prevent erosion by stabilizing shorelines with their specialized root systems. Mangroves also filter water and maintain water quality and clarity.

SUP

Stand up paddle tours (SUP) can be conducted on the river or in a variety of ocean conditions. Safari Surf works with Experience Nosara, a professional full service outfitter providing the latest in equipment and excellent local guides. The cool thing is that they have a storage shed right on the river, so when you book a kayak tour, they also bring along a couple of stand up paddleboards so people can also give them a try. Experience Nosara conducts SUP camps teaching basic and advanced techniques in all facets of the sport.

If you are feeling the call of the wild, try SUP surfing on open ocean swells, a guaranteed buzz! They also provide snorkel and waterfall excursions!

SNORKELING

The pristine beaches of San Juanillo (45 minutes north of Nosara) offer the perfect setting for a family day of swimming, snorkeling, and picnicking. The vast diversity in coastal ecosystems in this region is impressive. Playa Guiones is hard packed light sand, Playa Pelada is defined by volcanic reefs and outcroppings. Ostional is a black sand beach and north of that San Juanillo is punctuated with white coral reefs and crystal clear bays and lagoons.

WATERFALLS

Everyone loves a waterfall! There are several in our area, some well known, but also a few secret spots. We can help arrange a memorable waterfall hike in between your surf lessons (rainy season June-November).

FISHING

Costa Rica is known for its world class fishing and the Nosara area is no exception. Far removed from commercial fishing lanes and off the beaten tourist paths, the Nosara area is Costa Rica’s best-kept fishing secret. The nearby 100 fathom ledge bends in towards the beach creating a pool of deep blue water very close to the shore. Our waters are full of Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Snook, Cuberra Snapper, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado/Mahi-Mahi, Bonita, Rooster Fish and Pago Snapper. You can charter a boat for offshore trips or hang down at the Boca (river mouth) with Safari Surf instructor/fishing guide Alonso and try your luck for snook.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Nosara was originally dominated by cowboy culture! Every year local town fiestas feature rodeos and Tope (horse dancing) and everyone comes out to celebrate the country life. There are a variety of horseback tours for rider of all experience levels.

TURTLE TOURS

Turtle nesting in the Nosara area is a well known phenomenon, famous actually in environmental circles. The beaches of Playa Ostional just to the north is the setting for a rarely-seen biological wonder. The week before new moon hundreds, and sometimes thousands of sea turtles come to one specific mile of beach at Ostional to dig their eggs into the black, volcanic sand. Prompted by some secret signal, the “arribada” will begin. At first, a few hundred turtles will come out on the beach, followed by a steady stream of animals for the next three to seven days. The Ostional Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica was created in 1984 to protect one of the world’s most important nesting sites of the Olive Ridley sea turtle. Amazingly, Ostional is the only beach in the world where harvesting turtle eggs is legal. Scientists found out that most of the eggs deposed in the first nights of an arribada are destroyed by subsequent turtles who dig their nests. Therefore, since 1987, the government of Costa Rica allows the community of Ostional to harvest the doomed eggs on the first three days of an arribada. In return, the villagers become rangers who protect the turtles, clean debris from the beaches and patrol day and night for poachers.

MOTORIZED TOURS

ATVs or ‘quads’ are a fun way to see the areas diverse coastal nooks, rivers, and mountains.

You can rent a quad for a day or week and also go on various guided tours. One of the more creative operations here is Howling Monkey Adventures. Their website description tells the story:

Howling Monkey offers exhilarating off road adventures, guaranteed to be the highlight of your Costa Rica trip! Drive our TOMCARS and experience Costa Rica’s secluded beaches, untouched wildlife, amazing mountain vistas and pristine sunsets. Our Unique military grade vehicles with our Super Amazing local guides, allow for a safe and thrilling ride into remote jungle terrain to witness Howler Monkeys, exotic birds, and a variety of other jungle dwellers in their native state. Whether you are into surf, snorkel, nature or just pure adrenaline, let us customize a unique adventure for you, your group, family or corporate guests. This is guaranteed to be an adventure that you will never forget!